Red State

Watch Red State

"Fear God."
  • R
  • 2011
  • 1 hr 37 min
  • 6.1  (66,631)
  • 50

Red State is a 2011 movie that revolves around three teen boys who receive an online invitation to meet a woman for sex. However, their plan takes a dark turn as they find themselves in the possession of the Five Points Church, a fundamentalist and violent religious sect located in a remote area of Middle America. The movie starts with Sheriff Wynan (Stephen Root) discovering that the Five Points Church, led by the charismatic preacher Abin Cooper (Michael Parks), is responsible for the disappearance of several local teenagers. Wynan decides to raid the compound, leading to a standoff between the church members and the ATF led by Joseph Keenan (John Goodman). While the authorities expect a straightforward operation, the events quickly spiral out of control as Abin and his followers take decisive and violent action.

The movie first introduces the three teenage boys Travis (Michael Angarano), Billy-Ray (Nicholas Braun), and Jarod (Kyle Gallner), as they plan to have sex with an older woman they found on an online forum. Their plan takes a dire turn as they are drugged and held captive by the members of Five Points Church. This early scene establishes the tone for the rest of the movie, with its tense buildup and unwaveringly dark atmosphere.

As the events in the movie unfold, it becomes apparent that the Five Points Church is not like any other religious organization. The members of the church, who believe in God's wrath and tend towards fundamentalism and extremism, use violence and terror to uphold their beliefs. They justify their actions by claiming they are trying to rid the world of the sinners they perceive to be causing chaos and destruction.

The effectiveness of the movie is deeply rooted in Michael Park's phenomenal performance as the charismatic and fanatical Abin Cooper. His performance manages to capture the audience's attention and convey the sense of danger and unease throughout the movie. In his sermons, Abin delivers fire-and-brimstone messages that depict the world as a place of sin and debauchery, and only his church's members can stop the degeneracy.

As the standoff between the church members and the authorities reaches a climax, the movie's violence and intensity culminate in a shocking and brutal sequence. The final act of the movie is dark, visceral and delivers a gut-punch while leaving a lasting impression.

Red State is a visceral and disturbing movie that touches on themes of extremism, religion, and violence. It raises questions about the dangers of religious fanaticism and the place of religion in modern society. The movie does not take a clear stance and provides no easy answers to the questions it poses, leaving the interpretation to the audience.

Overall, this movie is not for the faint of heart. Its themes, language, and graphic violence may be too much for some viewers to handle. However, for those who can stomach its dark content, Red State offers a thought-provoking and unsettling experience that sticks with them long after the credits roll.

Red State is a 2011 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 50.

Red State
Description
Where to Watch Red State
Red State is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Red State for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2011
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 37 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.1  (66,631)
  • Metascore
    50